SAMBUCUS: Elderberry

Elderberries for Fruit

Sambucus canadensis - American Elder or ElderberryThe American Elderberry drips with black berries in summer. Berries are commonly used to make wine, liqueurs & pies. Two different varieties must be planted to provide pollination for fruit production. Portland Nursery carries 'Nova' & 'York'. Leaves are medium green, flowers are creamy white.
Grows 5-12' tall & wider. Can be pruned & kept on the smaller side. Prune in March.
Hardy Z2 – some selections hardy to Z4.

Toxicity: Though the berries of native Sambucus are edible, they must be cooked first, as they frequently cause nausea and stomach upset when eaten raw. The leaves, woody stems and especially the roots are extremely toxic, due to the presence of cyanide-causing gliconides.

Elderberries for Ornament

Sambucus nigra - European or Common Elderberry. This species offers a really wide range of leaf colors & makes a great addition to the garden. The purple and green leaf forms are fast-growing to 8-12' tall with a strong vase-shape. They're self-sufficient & easy to grow w/ few problems. Variegated (2-toned leaf) forms are a bit slower-growing with a bushier shape. They're susceptible to burning in hot afternoon sun so their ideal site is partly shaded.

Characteristics: About 25 species of shrubs, small trees & perennial herbs. Flowers are small & white or pink, held in flat or round clusters. Bloom is in mid-late spring. Black, red or white fruit follows. Leaves are deciduous, compound & opposite – they have a feathery look & come in many colors; green, white & green, gold & green, gold, purple. Stems are thick, solid & covered in dots (lenticels).

Size: In the Pacific Northwest, plants grow fast, mature around 8-12' tall & wider. Plants as large as 20' are common in their native habitats.
Culture: Sun to part shade – full sun for best fruit production. Moist soil, drought tolerant once established – still appreciate a nice deep drink in August.